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Playing Mobile Baccarat in Canada

In recent years Baccarat has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, and it’s become a favourite of players who enjoy fast-paced fun that offers potentially big rewards. Baccarat used to be the domain of high rollers, but these days it can even be enjoyed for free, on your mobile!

A game that’s often considered similar to Blackjack in many ways, Baccarat also relies on card comparison to calculate an outcome, but there’s little chance to use skill and strategy in play. In Blackjack, a player can influence the outcome of a hand by knowing when to Hit or Stand, but in Baccarat there’s no such opportunity. The unpredictable nature of the game is part of what makes it so appealing, and after a few hands, you’ll see why.

There are two ultra-modern versions of baccarat in existence today – mobile Baccarat and Live Dealer Baccarat. They’re both based upon the land-based version of the game. Like any casino game that has legacy, baccarat has a rich and colourful history that goes back centuries and stretches across continents. There aren’t any fully documented historical records but what is known is that like so many games of chance, baccarat can be traced all the way back to China.

Apparently, after Marco Polo returned from his voyages to the East, of the many things he took back to Italy, Chinese playing cards was one of them. These cards would form the basis for a game that would eventually become baccarat. And so, during the 13th and 14th centuries, the game of baccarat started to take shape.

It would still be a long time before printing took off and so, during its formative years, baccarat was only played by royals, the rich and the elite. Once Johan Gutenberg invented the printing press, that all began to change and slowly but surely baccarat made its way to the masses. Baccarat was born in Italy, raised in France and given to the world by England ala James Bond.

Versions of Baccarat

The evolution of baccarat has birthed three definitive versions of the game and those versions are Punto Banco, Baccarat Banquet and Baccarat Chemin-De-Fer. All three games are in essence the same with the only real variation coming down to the manner in which the cards are dealt. The most popular, well-liked and played version is that of Punto Banco, made popular by the US and Chermin-De-Fer, immortalised thanks to the adventures of literature’s greatest spy, James Bond. Fleming, Bond’s author, liked baccarat so much, that in the novel, Casino Royale, he had bond face off against the villain through a game of baccarat. When the movie came out in 2006, the film-makers swapped out baccarat and replaced it with Texas hold’em poker due to the major boom this game was experiencing.

Baccarat On the Go

Mobile Baccarat is a well-loved mobile casino game and top mobile gaming software developers like Playtech and Microgaming have created optimised versions that can be played on Android, iOS and other preferred smartphones and tablets. You can play Baccarat on:

Every game of mobile Baccarat has been designed to run smoothly in the palm of your hand and you’ll find that the navigation is user friendly and the interface incredibly intuitive, adding to the overall experience. You can play Baccarat for free at the top mobile casinos in Canada, and you can get some practice or just have fun. When you’re ready, you can place real money bets and start reaping the rewards of this intense and exciting table game!

Baccarat Basics

Baccarat is an easy game to play and it will only take you a few minutes to get to grips with the basics and be ready to try a hand or two for yourself.

There are several different variants of Baccarat available online, but Punto Banco is by far the most popular. The objective of Punto Banco, or any other version of Baccarat, is to bet on the winning hand. You can bet on the player hand (Punto) to win, or the banker hand (Bunco), or you can wager that the game will be tied. You don’t play the hand of the player; it’s simply named the Player hand to differentiate from the Banker. Even if there are several people playing Baccarat there’s only one player hand, as it’s just a choice you can bet on.

The winning hand is the hand that’s as close to 9 as possible; as 9 is the highest total that can be achieved. You cannot Bust in Baccarat as only the last digit of the total is counted. This means if a hand totals 15, it’s actually 5, 11 is 1 and so on. An Ace counts as 1 and the face cards have no value.

To begin, 2 cards are dealt to each the Player and the Banker and somewhat complex rules determine whether a 3rd card comes into play. You don’t have to worry about these rules, as a 3rd card will automatically be dealt when playing online. Thereafter a winner is decided.

Betting on the player to win has a house edge of 1.24%, while betting on the banker an edge of 1.06%. If you want to opt for a really risky bet, you can wager on a tie that has the higher house edge, but also has a much larger payoff.

Due to the popularity of Punto Banco, we shall unpack this version of the game further. Punto Banco is played off 6 to 8 decks of cards all shuffled together. A round is referred to as a coup and it starts with 2 cards dealt to the player and the banker, the results however can be one of three. Either the player wins, the banker wins or it’s a tie. One of two things can happen, a result can be achieved after the cards are dealt and if not, then a third card will be dealt out for a final result. The rest of the game’s inner workings revolve around the player and banker rules, which you can literally read in the rule section of the game. As the mobile baccarat player, your main aim is to bet on the outcome of the game between the banker and the dealer. Ultimately, you are an observer.

Mobile Baccarat Bonuses

When you’re looking for a mobile casino to sign up with and play Baccarat it’s also suggested that you take note of the bonuses and promotions on offer. The best Canadian casinos offer bonuses that can be used in Baccarat games, and if you claim a generous Welcome Bonus, you could kick start your winnings!

Due to Baccarat growing in popularity all the time and the vast number of mobile casinos vying for your attention, you’ll find that big bonuses have become an industry standard. You can use casino bonuses to play Baccarat in Canada and enjoy extra value for every dollar you deposit. With Baccarat, the more you play the greater your chances are of winning, and bonuses provide the perfect opportunity for you to extend your gaming time!

5 Top Baccarat Playing Tips

Baccarat may be a game that’s largely based on chance, but there are a few ways you can improve your chances of winning. These tips are designed to help players in Canada get the most out of every hand:

Know the Game

If you understand the basics of Baccarat you’ll feel more comfortable and can relax and enjoy every second of the game play.

Practice for Free

The free Baccarat games available at Canada’s best mobile casinos are a great way to learn the game and improve your confidence. Take advantage of them!

Play Games with Less than 8 Decks

As a beginner it’s best to play games with 8 or less decks. These games give you a better chance of winning.

Opt for a Safe Bet

Betting on a tie is the riskiest, whilst betting on the banker is the best bet. The chances of the banker winning are 44.6%, so it’s a wager worth taking.

Don’t Rely on Betting Systems

Betting systems may work in some ways, but don’t rely on them when playing Baccarat. As the outcome of the game is based on chance not skill, it’s almost impossible to predict.

Give Baccarat a Try on Your Mobile

If you’ve yet to try Baccarat, now is the perfect time! You can start with the free play games and familiarise yourself with the requirements, then move on over to the real money games and try win a massive payout. If you’re looking for the ultimate online Baccarat experience you can also give the Live Dealer games a try. These games feature real live dealers that are video streamed to your mobile device in real time, emulating the feeling of playing at a brick and mortar casino.

Whatever type of Baccarat you choose, you’re sure to soon discover why this card comparing game has stood the test of time and made the very successful transition to mobile. Play Baccarat at Canada’s best casinos and join in the fun anytime, anywhere!